Walk in the footsteps of pilgrims along a historically documented path: St. James' Way

St. James' Way – a European pilgrimage trail for the body and soul. Follow in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims on this historical route of approx. 170km from Nuremberg to Lake Constance.

Everyone should travel along the St. James' Way in their own way and at their own pace. The route leads from the Franconian hills, across the Nördlinger Ries depression and through the hills of the Swabian Alb to the city of Ulm with its minster, before continuing through the baroque Upper Swabian region and picturesque orchards to Lake Constance - known as the 'Swabian Sea'. If you embark on this route from Nuremberg to Constance, you'll come across more than 30 towns and villages with churches, abbeys and special places of historical and artistic interest. An incredible array of religious art treasures along the way reflects the cheerful piety of a region in which the local churches and inns still work in perfect harmony. When the St. James pilgrims arrive in Constance, they still have quite a way to go, having only completed around a sixth of the approx. 2,400km journey to Santiago. This route is best explored on foot, as simple pilgrims did back in the Middle Ages, or by bike. Starting a pilgrimage tour, you gradually leave behind the world you know, slowly getting used to carrying your rucksack and setting out on the next leg every day. This is also an opportunity for you to gain confidence in yourself and your ability to deal with the surprises that each new day brings. An ideal way to prepare yourself is to start off with a short tour through Upper Swabia and get a taste of what it's like to go on a pilgrimage.